A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

Putting salt in the corners of room, wearing a red wool thread as a bracelet and never throwing a hat on the bed are just a few of many Jewish superstitions. All photos:Bill Motchan

Bring on the ‘bubbe meises’: A look at Jewish superstitions

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished June 14, 2021

Never toss a hat on a bed. Always close a holy book when you finish reading it. Spit three times when you hear good or bad news. Many of us grew up hearing and adhering to these and other Jewish superstitions. Often they defy logic. But, like chicken...

A still from “The Wonder Child,” a story from the Egyptian-Jewish oral tradition adapted by the Theatre Ariel in Merion Station, Pa. St. Louis folklorist Howard Schwartz retold the story in his 1996 collection The Wonder Child & Other Jewish Fairy Tales Top row, left to right: Lois Abdelmalek and Abdul Sesay. Bottom row, from left: Marissa Barnathan and Nathan Foley | Courtesy of Theatre Ariel

St. Louis Jewish folklorist’s tales adapted by Philly theater

Jesse Bernstein, Jewish ExponentPublished April 23, 2021

In a year marked by upheaval, Deborah Baer Mozes and the artistic team at Theatre Ariel turned to tradition for inspiration. The result is “Leaves from the Garden,” a collection of nine classic Jewish folk tales that were adapted for Zoom performances. Working...

Howard Schwartz

Howard Schwartz to receive literary award

Published October 16, 2019

Howard Schwartz, the noted poet, essayist, novelist, editor, and expert on Jewish folklore and mythology, has been chosen as the recipient of the 2019 Tradition of Literary Excellence Award. The award, which was created in 2014 and is funded by the Municipal...

Howard Schwartz

St. Louis author brings to life the stories of revered Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav

BY ROBERT A. COHN, Editor-in-Chief EmeritusPublished October 19, 2018

Once again Howard Schwartz has retained the title of the Jewish Literary Zondek, or “Godfather” of St. Louis, bringing forth his latest book “A Palace of Pearls: The Stories of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav” (Oxford University Press, $34.95, cloth).Schwartz,...

Howard Schwartz

8th Annual Heschel/King Celebration to honor Redmond and Schwartz

Published February 29, 2012

The Eighth Annual Heschel/King Celebration co-sponsored by Jews United For Justice and the Missouri Historical Society will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 11 at Duff’s Restaurant, 392 N. Euclid Avenue in the Central West End.  Every year this...

Breathing in the Dark” by Howard Schwartz

Howard Schwartz returns to poetry in new book

BY ROBERT A. COHN, Editor-in-Chief EmeritusPublished May 25, 2011

Howard Schwartz is well known not only in his native St. Louis, but worldwide as a leading American Jewish poet, essayist, novelist and editor, an expert on Jewish folklore and mythology. He recently co-edited, with Barbara Raznick, "Winter Harvest,"...

‘Harvest’ of local talent in new anthology

‘Harvest’ of local talent in new anthology

BY SUSAN FADEM, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHTPublished April 21, 2011

From a simple nudge, oft-repeated, a 500-page volume took shape. "When are you going to do the next ‘Harvest' anthology?" professor emeritus Robert (Bob) Kohn would ask one of his exercise buddies, Howard Schwartz. During those mutual moments of huffing...

“Gathering Sparks” written by Howard Schwartz and illustrated by Kristina Swarner.

Two books, one local, “Taylor-made” for awards

BY ROBERT A. COHN, Editor-in-Chief EmeritusPublished April 6, 2011

Two absolutely terrific books, "Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword," a highly original graphic novel by Barry Deutsch, and "Gathering Sparks," by acclaimed local author, poet and editor Howard Schwartz and illustrated by Kristina Swarner, were among the...

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